Swimming near Fossil?

We%26#39;re planning a visit to Fossil in August. We%26#39;ll be staying two nights. Any recommendations for:

1) Swimming (preferably in the river or a lake, if there are any lakes around there)

2) Hunting and gathering fossils and thundereggs

3) Anything else that%26#39;s fun to do there

We%26#39;re two adults and an 9-year-old.

Thanks!

Swimming near Fossil?

the fossil hunting is easy- right behind the Fossil high school football field. I think there is a $3 charge, just to keep the place running. They supply the hammers, lessons, etc. Very low key. Its really fun and you can find a fossil in about 10minutes- I think they let you keep three.

As far as swimming- I know there is a nice river front park in Spray, but I think its mostly used as a launch point for rafts.

Youll want to visit the John Day Fossil Beds and visitor center, if you arent doing so already.. http://www.nps.gov/joda/

They also have guided hikes and star gazing activities during the summer months.

Swimming near Fossil?

Oh more about swimming- I dont know of any real swiming holes, more just kind of wading... you might want to check out the JDR in picture gorge-there arent alot of public areas on the river, but in picture gorge there are good accesses. This is quite a distance from Fossil, but if you are going to the JDFB visitors center its not too far.

From the John Day Fossil Beds NPS site:

3. Where can we dig for fossils?

Answer: Digging for fossils is not allowed within the monument, but fossil collecting is available to the public in the town of Fossil, behind the high School. For more information, check the Wheeler County web site.

www.wheelercounty-oregon.com/fossils.html

By the way, August in that part of Oregon can turn you into a fossil yourself if you%26#39;re not covered from sunblock. It can get HOT!!!

When I lived in John Day there was a plce in the John Day River near Service Creek that was pretty good. But suggest you ask one of the locals before you make the 20 miles to Service Creek.

I have made the trip from Fossil through Clarno to Antelope several times but can%26#39;t remember how the John Day is at that crossing for swimming. It is real close to the Clarno Unit of the Fossil Beds.

Plus you might want to check BLM they manage the John Day river recreation. Pretty sure their is a boat launch at that crossing, so may be some swimming

Picture Gorge not good swimming area much of year. water can get a bit swift there. There may be a hole as you come out of gorge. I can not remember.

I don%26#39;t believe there is a regular poster from that area on TA. So you may need to use other methods. wait til you get there can work well. People are real helpful there

get into duck hunting